Anybody who has ever tried to buy sexed bantams found out quickly they’re almost always sold as a straight run, or not sexed. Almost always, meaning every hatchery I know of, exceptMy Pet Chicken. Nobody seems to know how they do it, and I don’t know if in fact their accuracy rate is even commendable, but I’m going to find out soon. For the first time I was able to order less than the normal 15 chick minimum, and they’re sexed. That’s right, the minimum order of shipped chicks from My Pet Chicken (in most cases) is only three. Of course I paid a $premium$ for my sexed Silkie Bantam day old chicks, but it seemed worth it. If it is to you too, visitMy Pet Chicken for all the details.

When ordering my chicks I did take into consideration the margin of error associated with sexing, and of course, the shipping survival rate. I’ll have more Silkies than I want, if they all survive, and are pullets, two will be re-homed.

The brooder is ready and waiting for my new arrivals. It is averaging 100 degrees in the day, and 85 at night in the outbuilding where they will be living for the next 4 weeks. It should be quite easy to maintain a suitable living environment through the month of September. There is a window for natural light, air circulation, plumbing, electric, and lots of space for me to work play in.

second brooder

Brooder Out Building

The chicks will be moved to the coop between 4 and 5 weeks old, they will fair well in the mild temps of October until they are fully feathered at age 6-8 weeks. Sometime between now and then I’ll have the coop ready… not exactly chick worthy in it’s current state, but I’ll save that train wreck for another post.